Yes, another one of those threads, and I make no promises that any suggestions will even reach his ears but sometimes you people come up with some leftfield ideas so its worth a try?

Current car, an ageing Passat 2.8 4Motion auto.

He prefers family sized cars, Passat or bigger, treats them like vans, doesn't service them, doesn't wash them, doesn't care much for them at all. That said, he tends to prefer a "drivers" car in so much that a bouncy barge like my Skoda would get on his t!ts quite soon, and he considers the 4Motion quite frisky if that gives you some idea of his standards. Previous cars have been, a 190 2.6 (hateful thing) Volvo 340 something or other, S Class ..amongst others.

He wants a vaguely sporty saloon/hatch/estate, must have reasonable grunt/pace, must be easy to drive (he's an active 70yr old), MUST be auto (hates stirring a box these days) and must be bullet proof as he simply ignores my pleas to service his vehicles to any kind of regular nature...

He seems to like the Euro brands, I could see him in a BMW again as it'll appeal to his rose tinted view of driving (rwd etc).

Preferably no older than 5yrs, and with 3/4 years life in it (considering lack of servicing..) and the lower the mileage the better as he does seem to rack the miles up still.

He's not mentioned budget but I doubt he'll go anywhere near £10k as its not worth his while.

I mentioned in my reply to his request for ideas email that he should consider the VED rates on newer motors as many will come in at the upper range of course, I've no idea if this is a consideration for him at this time but having been a banker for most of his working life I can't see him wanting to start throwing money around now..

Let the p!sstaking commence..

ps: My ma runs a fairly new Jazz CVT so they have a reliable little town car for local trips, if that helps steer things.

Actually, he's yet to express an interest in Derv motors, and I'm less inclined to suggest them myself as I know how complex modern ones are, and how costly things get when they go wrong. I suspect he would prefer petrol, although he's not said as much in his email thus far..

I'll add it the list though, as I know he'd be amazed by the grunt these modern motors have. Hell, I think my Skoda would surprise him tbh and thats running an ancient VP 1.9!

This goes against the rules of internet forums, where you must recommend your own car. BUT, I don't know if the E90/1 3-series is as bullet proof as they used to be? I have several niggles on mine, little things like the rear tonneau auto-lift is temperamental, one angel eye needs changing; I don't think they're as well screwed together as they used to be.

I give you the Jaguar X-Type 2.5 AWD Estate. This one's even got a suitably gifferish colour combo and is low mileage, but I'd want to hunt out a 3.0 example with a better spec. Not fashionable but a smart car for under £10k and they do actually drive really well - all the 2.5 and 3.0 petrol versions have 4WD:

My brother-in-law drives one of these on a 56-plate (admittedly a 2.2 diesel with a manual box) and abuses it roundly (does 20k a year, drives like a maniac, fills it with muddy labradors etc) and has yet to have any problems with it. Saw it the other day and it looks like it has just competed in the Paris-Dakar - muddier than the average farm tractor, covered in scrapes and whiffing heavily of wet dog, yet still running well.

He is still a fairly active chap, his driving is "ok" for the main, just a little slower than he once was

And he does seem to favour German marques, if past history is anything to go by. Preferring larger lazy engines (understressed) rather than fizzy motors like I've had. He never understood my affection for the DC2, but then I've never driven it hard with him in it

There's quite a few saloons on AT for well under £10k Barry. Might have to go over 5yrs old but not by very much. As for Gav's point as to whether the E9x is that bulletproof or not - are many of the issues actually relatively minor?

I have a temperamental tonneau cover as well, one of the headlight washer jets doesn't fully retract sometimes, and the o/s rear door pin doesn't seem to drop (still locks though). Front control arms aside (which I think have taken a hit from a pothole) they're all things that on a day-day basis aren't worth worrying about imo.

Consensus from the local specialist was that the E9x's are reasonably good on chassis bits that previous generations weren't, and that the N52 is lump is solid.

There's quite a few saloons on AT for well under £10k Barry. Might have to go over 5yrs old but not by very much. As for Gav's point as to whether the E9x is that bulletproof or not - are many of the issues actually relatively minor?

I have a temperamental tonneau cover as well, one of the headlight washer jets doesn't fully retract sometimes, and the o/s rear door pin doesn't seem to drop (still locks though). Front control arms aside (which I think have taken a hit from a pothole) they're all things that on a day-day basis aren't worth worrying about imo.

Consensus from the local specialist was that the E9x's are reasonably good on chassis bits that previous generations weren't, and that the N52 is lump is solid.